Information communication apparatus, information communication system, information communication method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An information communication apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a communication unit for communicating with an external apparatus, a first acquiring unit for acquiring signal sent from positioning satelite, a second acquiring unit which uses the communication unit to acquire from the external apparatus signal that is sent from the positioning satelite and received by the external apparatus, a judging unit for judging whether the communication unit is connected to the external apparatus to communicate with said external apparatus, and a controlling unit for controlling the second acquiring unit to perform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit is connected to the external apparatus, and for controlling the first acquiring unit perform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit is not connected to the external apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priorityfrom the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-167950, filed Aug.13, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information communication apparatus,an information communication system, an information communicationmethod, and a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional technology is known, which uses GPS (Global PositioningSystem) to measure a location on the earth. For example, an imagingapparatus is provided, which receives signal from GPS satelite andcalculates based on the received signal, a location where a picture istaken, and then records image data of the picture together withattribute data representing such location (for instance, refer toJapanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-29852).

However, in general, an acquisition process which is performed uponreceipt of signal from GPS satelite consumes much electricity.

Therefore, if an apparatus has a restriction to its power sourcecapacity, an operation to be performed in a process other than theacquisition process will be disturbed because of power shortage. Forexample, in the case of battery-loaded imaging apparatuses, they willhave a limit in the number of shooting pictures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will reduce electricity consumed in theacquisition process and suppress an influence of the electricityconsumption onto other process.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided aninformation communication apparatus which comprises a communication unitwhich communicates with an external apparatus, a first acquiring unitwhich acquires a signal sent from a positioning satelite, a secondacquiring unit which uses the communication unit to acquire from theexternal apparatus a signal that is sent from the positioning sateliteand is received by the external apparatus, a judging unit which judgeswhether the communication unit is connected to the external apparatus tocommunicate with said external apparatus; and a controlling unit whichmakes the second acquiring unit perform a process based on the acquiredsignal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus, and makes the first acquiring unitperform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unitdetermines that the communication unit is not connected to the externalapparatus

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided aninformation communication system, wherein plural informationcommunication apparatuses are connected to each other through acommunication circuit, and at least one of the plural informationcommunication apparatuses which comprises a first acquiring unit whichcalculates a current location based on a signal sent from a positioningsatelite, a second acquiring unit which acquires a signal from the otherinformation communication apparatus through the communication circuit tocalculate the current location, wherein the signal is sent from thepositioning satelite and is received by said other informationcommunication apparatus, a judging unit which judges whether the presentinformation communication apparatus is connected to the otherinformation communication apparatus to communicate with said otherinformation communication apparatus through the communication circuit,and a controlling unit which makes the second acquiring unit perform aprocess based on the acquired signal, when the judging unit determinesthat the present information communication apparatus is connected to theother information communication apparatus, and makes the first acquiringunit perform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judgingunit determines that the present information communication apparatus isnot connected to the other information communication apparatus.

According to other aspect of the invention, there is provided aninformation communicating method in an information communicationapparatus, wherein the apparatus is provided with a communication unitfor communicating with an external apparatus, the method which comprisesa first acquiring step of positioning a current location based on asignal sent from a positioning satelite, a second acquiring step ofmaking the communication unit acquire from the external apparatus asignal that is sent from the positioning satelite and is received by theexternal apparatus to calculate the current location, a judging step ofjudging whether the communication unit is connected to the externalapparatus to communicate with said external apparatus, and a controllingstep of performing a process based on the signal acquired at the secondacquiring step, when it is determined at the judging step that thecommunication unit is connected to the external apparatus, andperforming a process based on the signal acquired at the first acquiringstep, when it is determined at the judging step that the communicationunit is not connected to the external apparatus.

According to still other aspect of the invention, there is provided anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executableprogram stored thereon, wherein a computer is mounted on an informationcommunication apparatus that is provided with a communication unit forcommunicating with an external apparatus, and the program instructs thecomputer to function as: a first acquiring unit which calculates acurrent location based on a signal sent from a positioning satelite, asecond acquiring unit which makes the communication unit acquire fromthe external apparatus a signal that is sent from the positioningsatelite and is received by the external apparatus to calculate thecurrent location, a judging unit which judges whether the communicationunit is connected to the external apparatus to communicate with saidexternal apparatus, and a controlling unit which makes the secondacquiring unit perform a process based on the acquired signal, when thejudging unit determines that the communication unit is connected to theexternal apparatus, and makes the first acquiring unit perform a processbased on the acquired signal, when the judging unit determines that thecommunication unit is not connected to the external apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an informationcommunication system using the preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of aportable terminal composing the information communication system shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of an imagingapparatus composing the information communication system shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example of operations in an acquisitionprocess performed in the information communication system shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Now, the preferred embodiments of the invention will be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The invention will notbe restricted to the particular embodiments to be described hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an informationcommunication system using the preferred embodiments of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are provided a portable terminal (externalapparatus: refer to FIG. 2) 1 and an imaging apparatus (informationcommunication apparatus: refer to FIG. 3) 2 in the informationcommunication system 100 according to the preferred embodiments of theinvention. The portable terminal 1 and the imaging apparatus 2 areconnected with each other through a wireless communication network (forexample, through a wireless PAN (Personal Area Network), for example,such as Bluetooth (Registered Trademark)) for exchanging information toeach other.

The portable terminal 1 and the imaging apparatus 2 are owned and usedby the same and single user but can be used separately by differentusers.

The portable terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of theportable terminal 1 composing the information communication system 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable terminal 1 comprises a centralcontrolling unit 101, a memory 102, an imaging unit 103, an image-datagenerating unit 104, a displaying unit 105, a display controlling unit106, a telephone transmitting-receiving unit 107, a first communicationcontrolling unit 108, a GPS processing unit 109, a second communicationcontrolling unit 110, an operation input unit 111, and a power sourceunit 112.

Further, the central controlling unit 101, memory 102, imaging unit 103,image-data generating unit 104, display controlling unit 106, telephonetransmitting-receiving unit 107, first communication controlling unit108, GPS processing unit 109, second communication controlling unit 110,and the power source unit 112 are connected to each other through a busline 113.

For example, the portable terminal 1 consists of a portable telephone, amobile terminal used in a mobile communication network such as PHS(Personal Handy-phone System), and/or PDA (Personal Data Assistants).

The central controlling unit 101 controls the whole operation of theportable terminal 1. More specifically, the central controlling unit 101comprises CPU (Central Processing Unit, not shown) for controlling thewhole operation of the portable terminal 1. CPU performs a controllingoperation in accordance with various sorts of processing programs (notshown) for the portable terminal 1.

The memory 102 comprises DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The memory102 is provided with a buffer memory for temporarily storing dataprocessed by the central controlling unit 101, a working memory used bythe central controlling unit 101, and a program memory for storingvarious sorts of programs concerning functions of the portable terminal1 and data. These memories are not shown.

The imaging unit 103 is provided with a lens unit 103 a, an electronicimaging unit 103 b, and an imaging controlling unit 103 c.

The lens unit 103 a consists of plural lenses including a zoom lens anda focus lens.

The electronic imaging unit 103 b comprises an image sensor such as CCD(Charge Coupled Device) and/or CMOS (Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor), and serves to convert an optical image passing throughthe lens unit 103 a into a two-dimensional image signal.

Although not shown, the imaging unit 103 is sometimes provided with anaperture for adjusting a quantity of light passing through the lens unit103 a.

The imaging controlling unit 103 c is provided with a timing generatingdevice and a driver (both, not shown). The imaging controlling unit 103c operates the timing generating device and the driver to scan theelectronic imaging unit 103 b, thereby making the electronic imagingunit 103 b convert an optical image for every given period into atwo-dimensional signal. Then, the imaging controlling unit 103 c reads aframe image of one image from an imaging area of the electronic imagingunit 103 b, and outputs the read frame image to an image-data generatingunit 104.

Meanwhile, the imaging controlling unit 103 c adjusts shootingconditions including AF (automatic focusing process), AE (automaticexposure controlling process), and AWB (automatic white balancingprocess), under which an shooting operation is performed.

The image-data generating unit 104 adjusts gains of RGB color componentscontained in the analog signal corresponding to the frame imagetransferred from the electronic imaging unit 103 b, and then suppliesthe RGB color components to a sample hold circuit and A/D converter (notshown), thereby converting the RGB color components into digital data.Further, the digital data is subjected to color signal processingincluding pixel interpolation processing and gamma correction processingin a color processing circuit (not shown), whereby a digital luminancesignal Y and color-difference signals Cb and Cr (YUV data) aregenerated.

The image-data generating unit 104 successively outputs and stores YUVdata of the generated frame images in the memory 102.

The displaying unit 105 comprises, for example, a liquid crystaldisplaying panel, and displays on a displaying screen an image (forexample, a live view, etc.) shot by the imaging unit 103, based on avideo signal from the display controlling unit 106.

The display controlling unit 106 performs a controlling operation,whereby image data temporarily stored in the memory 102 is read anddisplayed on the displaying unit 105.

More specifically, the display controlling unit 106 is provided withVRAM (Video Random Access Memory), VRAM controller, and a digital videoencoder. The digital luminance signal Y and the color-difference signalsCb, Cr are read from the memory 102 and stored in VRAM under control ofthe central controlling unit 101. The digital video encoder reads thedigital luminance signal Y and the color-difference signals Cb, Cr fromVRAM through VRAM controller at a given playback frame rate (forinstance, at 30 fps.) to generate and output a video signal to thedisplaying unit 105.

For example, updating plural frame images shot by the imaging unit 103and generated by the image-data generating unit 104 at a givendisplaying frame rate, the display controlling unit 106 displays thelive frame images on the displaying unit 105.

The telephone transmitting-receiving unit 107 will make a call with theexternal apparatus (external user) through a communication network N.

More specifically, the telephone transmitting-receiving unit 107 isprovided with a microphone 107 a, a speaker 107 b, and a data convertingunit 107 c. In the telephone transmitting-receiving unit 107, user'stelephone voice data entered from the microphone 107 a is subjected toA/D converting process in the data converting unit 107 c and theconverted telephone voice data is output to the central controlling unit101. Meanwhile, voice data such as telephone voice data output from andinput by the first communication controlling unit 108 is subjected toD/A converting process in the data converting unit 107 c, and outputthrough the speaker 107 b.

The first communication controlling unit 108 performs data transmission(data sending and/or receiving) through the communication network N anda communication antenna 108 a.

In other words, the communication antenna 108 a is an antenna that canbe used for receiving and/or sending data in conformity with acommunication system (for instance, W-CDMA (Wideband Code DivisionMultiple Access System) and GSM (Global System for MobileCommunications-Registered Trademark)) employed for the portable terminal1 to communicate with a wireless base station (not shown). In accordancewith a communication protocol corresponding to the given communicationsystem and using a communication channel set by the communicationsystem, the first communication controlling unit 108 performs datatransmission with the wireless base station through the communicationantenna 108 a. That is, the first communication controlling unit 108exchanges voice data and/or data of electronic mails with the externalapparatuses (communication partners, external users) in accordance withan instruction signal output from and input by the central controllingunit 101.

The above described configuration of the first communication controllingunit 108 is one example and is not limited to the one described herein.The configuration of the first communication controlling unit 108 willbe arranged in any manner. For example, it is also possible to mount awireless LAN module (not shown) on the first communication controllingunit 108 to make the unit 108 access the communication network N throughan Access Point.

The communication network N is used by the portable terminal 1 tocontact with the external apparatus through the wireless base stationand a gateway server (not shown).

Further, the communication network N is a communication network that isconstructed by using exclusive lines and/or existing public lines.Various networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide AreaNetwork) can be used to construct the communication network N. In thecommunication network N are contained various communication networkssuch as telephone circuit networks, ISDN networks, exclusive lines,mobile communication networks, communication satellite networks, andCATV circuit networks, and IP network, VoIP (Voice over InternetProtocol) gateway, and Internet service providers.

The GPS processing unit 109 receives signals sent from GPS satellites S,. . . to calculate the current location of the portable terminal 1.

More specifically, the GPS processing unit 109 receives GPS signals (forexample, Almanac—approximate orbit information and Ephemeris—detailedorbit information) from plural GPS satellites S, . . . , which arelaunched to the low earth orbit, at a given timing through a receptionantenna 109 a. In FIG. 1, only one positioning satellite is shown forconvenience. The GPS processing unit 109 demodulates the GPS signals arereceived through the reception antenna 109 a to generate GPSinformation. It is possible that the generated GPS information is sentto the memory 102 and temporarily stored therein.

A positioning unit 109 b of the GPS processing unit 109 performs apredetermined positioning operation using the GPS information tocalculate an absolute current three-dimensional position (latitude,longitude, and height) of the portable terminal 1, thereby acquiringpositional information (for example, coordinate information of latitude,longitude, and height) representing the location. It is possible thatthe current positional information of the portable terminal 1 acquiredby the positioning unit 109 b is sent to the memory 102 and temporarilystored therein.

The second communication controlling unit 110 communicates with theimaging apparatus 2 which is connected with the portable terminal 1through a given wireless communication circuit.

In other words, the second communication controlling unit 110 connectswith the imaging apparatus 2, for instance, through a wireless PAN(Personal Area Network) implemented in accordance with a wirelesscommunication standard for exchanging data over short distances such asBluetooth.

More specifically, the second communication controlling unit 110 isprovided with a controlling module for exchanging data with the imagingapparatus 2 in accordance with Bluetooth wireless data exchangingstandard through the communication antenna 110 a. Further, previouslyperforming a communication setting process so-called “pairing”, thesecond communication controlling unit 110 can exchange information of adevice and data of an authentication key with the communication partnerusing a wireless signal. Thereafter, the portable terminal 1 has beenbrought into a state, in which the terminal 1 can be automatically orsemi-automatically connected with or released from the communicationpartner. For instance, when the portable terminal 1 has been separatedfar from the imaging apparatus 2 in the distance such that radio wavesused for wireless communication cannot reach the imaging apparatus 2,the portable terminal 1 will be automatically released from the imagingapparatus 2. Meanwhile, when the portable terminal 1 has been broughtclose to the imaging apparatus 2 in the area where the radio waves canreach, the portable terminal 1 will be automatically connected with theimaging apparatus 2. The portable terminal 1 will be semi-automaticallyconnected or released by a user's operation.

The second communication controlling unit 110 obtains GPS informationfrom the memory 102, and sends the GPS information to the imagingapparatus 2 through the wireless PAN. That is, upon receipt of a requestof sending GPS information from the imaging apparatus 2, the secondcommunication controlling unit 110 obtains the GPS informationtemporarily stored in the memory 102 and successively sends the GPSinformation to the imaging apparatus 2 through the wireless PAN.

The operation input unit 111 is used by the user to enter variousinstructions to the portable terminal 1. More specifically, theoperation input unit 111 is provided with a power button for turning onand/or off the power of the portable terminal 1, a shutter button for ashooting operation, a cursor for selecting a function, a mode, and aninstruction, a decision button, communication buttons concerningtelephone calls, sending/receiving electronic mails, andnumeral/character buttons used for entering characters, numerals andsymbols (all of them, not shown).

When the user operates the button(s), the operation input unit 111 willsend an instruction corresponding to the operated button(s) to thecentral controlling unit 101. In accordance with the instruction sentfrom the operation input unit 111, the central controlling unit 101makes various units perform predetermined operations (for instance, theshooting operation, sensing/receiving a telephone call,sensing/receiving an electronic mail, etc.).

It is possible that the operation input unit 111 has a touch panelintegrated with the displaying unit 105 and that the operation inputunit 111 will send the central controlling unit 101 an instructioncorresponding to the user's operation performed on the touch panel.

The power source unit 112 supplies power to units composing the portableterminal 1. The power source unit 112 has a various types of batteries(for instance, a lithium ion battery, and a nickel hydrogen rechargeablebattery). Therefore, a voltage source capacity to be supplied from thepower source 112 will be restricted to a given capacity. The powersource unit 112 can comprise a configuration that is supplied from ACpower source.

Now, the imaging apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration of the imagingapparatus 2 composing the information communication system 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the imaging apparatus 2 comprises a centralcontrolling unit 201, a memory 202, an imaging unit 203, an image-datagenerating unit 204, a displaying unit 205, a display controlling unit206, a GPS processing unit 207, a communication controlling unit 208, aconnection judging unit 209, a positioning controlling unit 210, anoperation input unit 211, and a power source unit 212.

Further, the central controlling unit 201, memory 202, imaging unit 203,image-data generating unit 204, display controlling unit 206, GPSprocessing unit 207, communication controlling unit 208, connectionjudging unit 209, positioning controlling unit 210, and the power sourceunit 212 are connected to each other through a bus line 213.

The central controlling unit 201 controls the whole operation of theimaging apparatus 2. More specifically, the central controlling unit 201comprises CPU (not shown) for controlling operations of various parts inthe imaging apparatus 2. CPU performs various controlling operations inaccordance with various sorts of processing programs (not shown) for theimaging apparatus 2.

The memory 202 comprises DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The memory102 is provided with a buffer memory for temporarily storing dataprocessed by the central controlling unit 201, a working memory used bythe central controlling unit 201, and a program memory for storingvarious sorts of programs concerning functions of the imaging apparatus2 and data. These memories are not shown in FIG. 3.

The imaging unit 203 has substantially the same configuration as theimaging unit 103 of the portable terminal 1 and is provided with a lensunit 203 a, an electronic imaging unit 203 b, and an imaging controllingunit 203 c.

As described, the configuration and functions of the imaging unit 203are substantially the same as those of the imaging unit 103 of theportable terminal 1, and therefore further description thereof will beomitted.

The configurations and functions of the image-data generating unit 204,displaying unit 205, and display controlling unit 206 are substantiallythe same as those of the image-data generating unit 104, displaying unit105, and display controlling unit 106 of the portable terminal 1, andtherefore further description thereof will be omitted.

The GPS processing unit 207 works in a similar manner to the GPSprocessing unit 109 and receives signals sent from GPS satellites S, . .. to calculate the current location of the imaging apparatus 2.

More specifically, the GPS processing unit 207 receives GPS signals fromplural GPS satellites S, . . . , which are launched to the low earthorbit, at a given timing through a reception antenna 207 a. The GPSprocessing unit 207 demodulates the GPS signals received through thereception antenna 207 a to generate GPS information. It is possible thatthe generated GPS information is sent to the memory 202 and temporarilystored therein.

A first positioning unit (first positioning means) 207 b of the GPSprocessing unit 207 performs the positioning operation using the GPSinformation to calculate an absolute current three-dimensional position(latitude, longitude, and height) of the imaging apparatus 2, therebyacquiring positional information (for instance, coordinate informationof latitude, longitude, and height) representing the location. Morespecifically, while the imaging apparatus 2 and the portable terminal 1are not connected to each other to exchange information through thewireless PAN, the first positioning unit 207 b generates the positionalinformation representing the current location of the imaging apparatus2, based on the GPS information under control of the positioningcontrolling unit 210.

Before starting calculating the current location of the imagingapparatus 2 in the above manner, it is possible for the firstpositioning unit 207 b to obtain and use GPS information which has beenreceived from the portable terminal 1 through the communicationcontrolling unit 208 and temporarily stored in the memory 202 tocalculate the current location of the imaging apparatus 2.

Further, it is possible that the current positional informationrepresenting the current location of the imaging apparatus 2, calculatedby the first positioning unit 207 b is sent to the memory 202 andtemporarily stored therein.

A second positioning unit (second positioning means) 207 c of the GPSprocessing unit 207 calculates the current location of the imagingapparatus 2 based on GPS information acquired by the communicationcontrolling unit 208.

More specifically, the second positioning unit 207 c obtains GPSinformation which has been obtained by the communication controllingunit 208 and temporarily stored in the memory 202 under control of thepositioning controlling unit 210, that is, GPS information which hasbeen generated by the GPS processing unit 109 of the portable terminal1, and performs the given positioning operation based on the GPSinformation to calculate the absolute current three-dimensional position(latitude, longitude, and height) of the imaging apparatus 2, therebyacquiring the positional information (for instance, coordinateinformation of latitude, longitude, and height) representing thelocation.

The communication controlling unit 208 communicates with the portableterminal 1 which is connected with the imaging apparatus 2 through agiven wireless communication circuit.

In other words, the communication controlling unit 208 is provided witha communication antenna 208 a and connects with the portable terminal 1through the wireless PAN implemented in accordance with the wirelesscommunication standard for exchanging data over short distances such asBluetooth.

The configuration and functions of the communication controlling unit208 are substantially the same as those of the second communicationcontrolling unit 110 of the portable terminal 1, and therefore furtherdescription thereof will be omitted.

The communication controlling unit 208 acquires signals which theportable terminal 1 (external apparatus) has received from GPSsatellites S, . . . , from said portable terminal 1 through the wirelessPAN (a given communication circuit). In other words, the communicationcontrolling unit 208 receives GPS information which is successively sentthrough the wireless PAN from the portable terminal 1 in response to aninstruction of sending GPS information. The communication controllingunit 208 sends the received GPS information to the memory 202 and storestherein.

The connection judging unit (connection judging means) 209 serves tojudge whether the imaging apparatus 2 has been connected to the portableterminal 1 to communicate with said portable terminal 1. In other words,the connection judging unit 209 judges whether the communicationcontrolling unit 208 of the imaging apparatus 2 has been connected tothe portable terminal 1 (external apparatus) to communicate with saidportable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN. The connection judgingunit 209 performs the judging process for every given interval and/orevery time when the GPS processing unit 109 performs a positioningoperation to calculate the current location of the portable terminal 1.A result of the judgment is output to the positioning controlling unit210.

The positioning controlling unit (positioning controlling means) 210controls a process (positioning process) of acquiring the currentlocation of the imaging apparatus 2.

In other words, when the connection judging unit 209 determines that theimaging apparatus 2 is connected with the portable terminal 1, thepositioning controlling unit 210 makes the communication controllingunit 208 acquire signals (GPS information) which the portable terminal 1has received from GPS satellites S, . . . , from said the portableterminal 1 through the wireless PAN.

More specifically, when the connection judging unit 209 determines thatthe imaging apparatus 2 is connected and allowed to communicate with theportable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN, the positioningcontrolling unit 210 sends the power source unit 212 an instructionsignal of ceasing supplying power to the GPS processing unit 207 andalso gives the GPS processing unit 207 a controlling instruction ofmaking the first positioning unit 207 b cease performing the positioningprocess of the current location. Further, the positioning controllingunit 210 gives the communication controlling unit 208 an instruction ofsending GPS information generated by the portable terminal 1 to theimaging apparatus 2. In this way, the positioning controlling unit 210makes the communication controlling unit 208 acquire GPS informationgenerated by the portable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN.

Meanwhile, when the connection judging unit 209 determines that theimaging apparatus 2 is not connected to the portable terminal 1 tocommunicate with said portable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN, thepositioning controlling unit 210 gives the power source unit 212 aninstruction signal of supplying power to the GPS processing unit 207 andalso gives the GPS processing unit 207 an instruction of making thefirst positioning unit 207 b start performing the positioning process ofthe current location.

The operation input unit 211 is used by the user to enter variousinstructions to the imaging apparatus 2. More specifically, theoperation input unit 211 is provided with a power source button forturning on and/or off the power of the imaging apparatus 2, a shutterbutton for a shooting operation, a selection button for selecting ashooting mode and a function, and a zoom button for adjusting a zoomingamount (all of them, not shown).

When the user operates the button(s), the operation input unit 211 willsend an instruction corresponding to the operated button(s) to thecentral controlling unit 201. In accordance with the instruction sentfrom the operation input unit 111, the central controlling unit 201makes various units perform predetermined operations (for instance, theshooting operation).

The power source unit 212 supplies power to units composing the imagingapparatus 2. The power source unit 212 has a various types of batteries(for instance, a lithium ion battery, and a nickel hydrogen rechargeablebattery). Therefore, a voltage source capacity to be supplied from thepower source 212 will be restricted to a given capacity.

<Positioning Process>

Hereinafter, the positioning process will be described with reference toFIG. 4 in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example of operations performed in thepositioning process.

The positioning process is sequentially performed in scheduled timing.It is assumed that, in the portable terminal 1, the current location issequentially calculated every scheduled interval and also it is assumedthat, in the imaging apparatus 2, the current location is calculatedevery time when the user has operated the operation input unit 211 toinstruct to perform a shooting operation.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the portable terminal 1, the GPS processing unit109 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites S, . . . through thereception antenna 109 a and demodulates the received GPS signals tosuccessively generate GPS information (step S1). The positioning unit109 b uses the generated GPS information to perform the predeterminedpositioning operation, calculating the current location (latitude,longitude, and height) of the portable terminal 1 (step 2). Thegenerated GPS information is sent to the memory 102 and temporarilystored therein.

Meanwhile in the imaging apparatus 2, when the user has operated theshutter button of the operation input unit 211 to give an instruction ofperforming a shooting operation, the connection judging unit 209 judgeswhether the communication controlling unit 208 is connected to andallowed to communicate with the portable terminal 1 through the wirelessPAN (step S3).

When it is determined that the communication controlling unit 208 isconnected to and allowed to communicate with the portable terminal 1through the wireless PAN (YES at step S3), the positioning controllingunit 210 gives the GPS processing unit 207 a controlling instruction ofmaking the first positioning unit 207 b cease performing the positioningprocess of the current location (step S4). Then, the first positioningunit 207 b of the GPS processing unit 207 ceases positioning the currentlocation.

Further, the positioning controlling unit 210 gives the communicationcontrolling unit 208 an instruction of sending the imaging apparatus 2GPS information generated by the portable terminal 1 and thecommunication controlling unit 208 sends said instruction to theportable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN (step S5).

In the portable terminal 1, when the second communication controllingunit 110 has received from the imaging apparatus 2 the instruction ofsending GPS information, the second communication controlling unit 110obtains GPS information stored in the memory 102 and sends said GPSinformation to the imaging apparatus 2 through the wireless PAN (stepS6).

In the imaging apparatus 2, upon receipt of GPS information from theportable terminal 1, the communication controlling unit 208 sends theGPS information to the memory 202 and temporarily stores said GPSinformation therein (step S7). Further, the second positioning unit 207c of the GPS processing unit 207 obtains the GPS information stored inthe memory 202 and performs the positioning operation based on said GPSinformation, calculating the current location (latitude, longitude, andheight) of the imaging apparatus 2 (step S8).

It is possible that positional information representing the currentlocation of the imaging apparatus 2, calculated by the secondpositioning unit 207 c is sent to the memory 202 and temporarily storedtherein.

Meanwhile, when it is determined that the communication controlling unit208 is not connected to the portable terminal 1 to communicate with saidportable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN (NO at step S3), the GPSprocessing unit 207 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites S, . . .through the reception antenna 207 a and demodulates the received GPSsignals, successively generating GPS information (step S9). The firstpositioning unit 207 b executes the predetermined positioning operationbased on the generated GPS information, thereby positioning the currentlocation (latitude, longitude, and height) of the imaging apparatus 2(step S10).

It is possible that the positional information representing the currentlocation of the imaging apparatus 2, calculated by the first positioningunit 207 b is sent to the memory 202 and temporarily stored therein.

After the positioning process has been finished, a record controllingunit (not shown) associates image data representing a shot image, codedin a predetermined compressed format (for instance, JPEG format) by theimage-data generating unit 204, with the positional information of ashooting location calculated as the current location of the imagingapparatus 2, creating a file in a predetermined format (for example, inExif format) and recording the file in a recording medium (not shown).

As has been described above, in the information communication system 100according to the embodiments of the invention, when it is determinedthat the imaging apparatus 2 is connected to and allowed to communicatewith the portable terminal 1, the imaging apparatus 2 makes the firstpositioning unit 207 b of the GPS processing unit 207 cease positioningthe current location, and meanwhile makes the communication controllingunit 208 acquire the signal (GPS information) which the portableterminal 1 has received from GPS satellites S, . . . , from saidportable terminal 1 through the wireless PAN, and the second positioningunit 207 c calculates the current location based on the GPS informationacquired by the communication controlling unit 208.

Therefore, in the situation where the imaging apparatus 2 is connectedto the portable terminal 1 and allowed to communicate with the portableterminal 1, the first positioning unit 207 b which consumescomparatively a large amount of electricity does not perform thepositioning process of the current location and meanwhile the secondpositioning unit 207 c which consumes comparatively a little amount ofelectricity performs the positioning process of the current locationbased on the GPS information obtained from the portable terminal 1,whereby electric power saving can be enhanced in the imaging apparatus2. As described, in the imaging apparatus 2, the electric power to beconsumed in the positioning process of calculating the current locationwill be saved, and effect of the power consumption to other process, forinstance, such as the shooting operation will be made least.

When it is determined that the imaging apparatus 2 is not connected tothe portable terminal 1 to communicate with said portable terminal 1,the first positioning unit 207 b starts calculating the currentlocation. Therefore, in the situation where the imaging apparatus 2 isnot connected to the portable terminal 1 to communicate with saidportable terminal 1, the first positioning unit 207 b calculates thecurrent location based on the signal (GPS information) sent from GPSsatellites S, . . . , and accordingly the current location of theimaging apparatus 2, for instance, a position where an image has beenshot with the imaging apparatus 2 can be specified precisely.

In the case the first positioning unit 207 b calculates the currentlocation using GPS information which has been received by the portableterminal 1 and stored in the memory 202, before starting positioning thecurrent location, the positioning process of the current location can beperformed more effectively than performing the positioning process ofthe current location with giving no consideration to relativearrangement of GPS satellites at the previous positioning location. Inthis case, the first positioning unit 207 b consuming relatively moreelectricity can properly reduce power consumption in the positioningprocess of the current location.

The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments describedherein, but modifications and rearrangements may be made to thedisclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention.

For instance, in the above embodiments, the GPS information generated inthe portable terminal 1 is sent to the imaging apparatus 2, but it ispossible for the GPS processing unit 109 of the portable terminal 1 toreceive and send GPS signal to the imaging apparatus 2. In this case,the imaging apparatus 2 demodulates the received GPS signal to obtainGPS information.

In the above described embodiments, when it is determined that theimaging apparatus 2 is connected to the portable terminal 1 tocommunicate with said the portable terminal 1, the imaging apparatus 2makes the first positioning unit 207 b of the GPS processing unit 207cease positioning the current location and meanwhile makes thecommunication controlling unit 208 acquire signal (GPS information) thatthe portable terminal 1 has received from GPS satellites s, . . . , fromsaid portable terminal 1, and the second positioning unit 207 c uses theGPS information acquired by the communication controlling unit 208 tocalculate the current location. But, it will be possible for the secondpositioning unit 207 c to use time information contained in the GPSinformation to correct the time of a built-in clock of the imagingapparatus 2.

The configurations and the number of the portable terminal 1 and theimaging apparatus 2 disclosed in the embodiments are just examples andare not limited to those disclosed in the embodiments.

In the embodiments described above, the portable terminal 1 is given asan example of the external apparatus and also the imaging apparatus 2 isgiven as the information communication apparatus. The external apparatusand information communication apparatus are not limited to theseparticular embodiments, but it is possible that the imaging apparatus 2serves as the external apparatus and the portable terminal 1 serves asthe information communication apparatus. Further, it is possible thatthe portable terminal 1 and the imaging apparatus 2 serve as theinformation communication apparatus and the external apparatus. In thiscase, it is possible to switch the function of the portable terminal 1and the imaging apparatus 2 to work as the information communicationapparatus or the external apparatus, depending on the remaining capacityof the power source unit 112 (212).

In addition, in the embodiments, the functions of the first positioningmeans, the connection judging means, the positioning controlling meansand the second positioning means are provided respectively, when thefirst positioning unit 207 b, the connection judging unit 209, thepositioning controlling unit 210 and the second positioning unit 207 care driven under control of CPU of the central controlling unit 201 inthe imaging apparatus 2. But the functions of these means will berealized in other manner, that is, it is possible for the centralcontrolling unit 201 to provide the functions of these means by runninga predetermined program.

A program containing a first positioning process routine, a connectionjudging process routine, a controlling process routine and a secondpositioning process routine is stored in a program memory (not shown).In the first positioning process routine, it will be possible based onthe signals sent from GPS satellites S, . . . , for CPU of the centralcontrolling unit 201 to function as the first positioning means forcalculating the current location. Further, in the connection judgingprocess routine, it will be possible for CPU of the central controllingunit 201 to function as the connection judging means for judging whethercommunication means is connected to an external apparatus tocommunicated with said external apparatus.

In the controlling process routine, it will be possible for CPU of thecentral controlling unit 201 to function as the positioning controllingmeans, wherein the positioning controlling means makes the firstpositioning means cease positioning the current location and makescommunication means acquire signals that the external informationcommunication apparatus has received from GPS satellites S, . . . , fromsaid the external information communication apparatus through a givencommunication network, when it is determined that the imaging apparatusis connected to an external information communication apparatus. In thesecond positioning process routine, it will be possible for CPU of thecentral controlling unit 201 to function as second acquiring means forpositioning the current location based on the signal acquired by thecommunication means under control of the positioning controlling means.

It is possible to use portable recording media such as nonvolatilememories including flash memories, CD-ROM, etc. as computer readablerecording media for recording the program for executing the aboveprocesses. As media for providing data for the computers through a givencommunication circuit, a carrier wave can be used.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described inthe foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that theinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein,but modifications and rearrangements may be made to the disclosedembodiments while remaining within the scope of the invention as definedby the following claims. It is intended to include all suchmodifications and rearrangements in the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information communication apparatuscomprising: a communication unit which communicates with an externalapparatus; a first acquiring unit which acquires a signal sent from apositioning satelite; a second acquiring unit which uses thecommunication unit to acquire from the external apparatus a signal thatis sent from the positioning satelite and is received by the externalapparatus; a judging unit which judges whether the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus to communicate with said externalapparatus; and a controlling unit which makes the second acquiring unitperform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unitdetermines that the communication unit is connected to the externalapparatus, and makes the first acquiring unit perform a process based onthe acquired signal, when the judging unit determines that thecommunication unit is not connected to the external apparatus.
 2. Theinformation communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrolling unit makes the second acquiring unit perform a positioningoperation to generate positional information, based on the acquiredsignal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus, and makes the first acquiring unitperform a positioning operation to generate positional information,based on the acquired signal, when the judging unit determines that thecommunication unit is not connected to the external apparatus.
 3. Theinformation communication apparatus according to claim 2, furthercomprising: a holding unit which successively holds the signal receivedby the communication unit, and wherein the first acquiring unit uses thesignal held in the holding unit to perform the positioning operation togenerate positional information.
 4. The information communicationapparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an imaging unitwhich images a subject to generate image data; and a recording unitwhich associates the image data generated by the imaging unit with thepositional information generated by one of the first acquiring unit andthe second acquiring unit, and records the image data associated withthe positional information.
 5. The information communication apparatusaccording to claim 4, further comprising: an instruction unit whichgives the imaging unit an instruction of imaging a subject, and whereinthe judging unit judges whether the communication unit is connected tothe external apparatus to communicate with said external apparatus, whenthe instruction unit has given the instruction.
 6. The informationcommunication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controllingunit makes the first acquiring unit cease performing the positioningoperation, when the judging unit determines that the communication unitis connected to the external apparatus.
 7. The information communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controlling unit makes thesecond acquiring unit perform time correction based on the acquiredsignal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus, and makes the first acquiring unitperform time correction based on the acquired signal, when the judgingunit determines that the communication unit is not connected to theexternal apparatus.
 8. An information communication system, whereinplural information communication apparatuses are connected to each otherthrough a communication circuit, and at least one of the pluralinformation communication apparatuses comprises: a first acquiring unitwhich calculates a current location based on a signal sent from apositioning satelite; a second acquiring unit which acquires a signalfrom the other information communication apparatus through thecommunication circuit to calculate the current location, wherein thesignal is sent from the positioning satelite and is received by saidother information communication apparatus; a judging unit which judgeswhether the present information communication apparatus is connected tothe other information communication apparatus to communicate with saidother information communication apparatus through the communicationcircuit; and a controlling unit which makes the second acquiring unitperform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unitdetermines that the present information communication apparatus isconnected to the other information communication apparatus, and makesthe first acquiring unit perform a process based on the acquired signal,when the judging unit determines that the present informationcommunication apparatus is not connected to the other informationcommunication apparatus.
 9. An information communicating method in aninformation communication apparatus, wherein the apparatus is providedwith a communication unit for communicating with an external apparatus,the method comprising: a first acquiring step of positioning a currentlocation based on a signal sent from a positioning satelite; a secondacquiring step of making the communication unit acquire from theexternal apparatus a signal that is sent from the positioning sateliteand is received by the external apparatus to calculate the currentlocation; a judging step of judging whether the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus to communicate with said externalapparatus; and a controlling step of performing a process based on thesignal acquired at the second acquiring step, when it is determined atthe judging step that the communication unit is connected to theexternal apparatus, and performing a process based on the signalacquired at the first acquiring step, when it is determined at thejudging step that the communication unit is not connected to theexternal apparatus.
 10. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium with an executable program stored thereon, wherein a computer ismounted on an information communication apparatus that is provided witha communication unit for communicating with an external apparatus, andthe program instructs the computer to function as: a first acquiringunit which calculates a current location based on a signal sent from apositioning satelite; a second acquiring unit which makes thecommunication unit acquire from the external apparatus a signal that issent from the positioning satelite and is received by the externalapparatus to calculate the current location; a judging unit which judgeswhether the communication unit is connected to the external apparatus tocommunicate with said external apparatus; and a controlling unit whichmakes the second acquiring unit perform a process based on the acquiredsignal, when the judging unit determines that the communication unit isconnected to the external apparatus, and makes the first acquiring unitperform a process based on the acquired signal, when the judging unitdetermines that the communication unit is not connected to the externalapparatus.